What you need to know about skiing in the South Island

Skiing and snowboarding the South Island comes with a serious side order of selfie backdrops. Put simply, the Southern Alps will visually blow your mind (there's a reason Hollywood's big guns choose to film here).

People come to the South Island for the snow and stay for the view. But before you pack your beanie, gloves and selfie stick know that you’re heading off on one of the best ski and snowboard holidays money can buy in the Southern Hemisphere. Check out our list of must-knows for the southern snow.

Choose to fly direct into Christchurch to ski Mt Hutt and Porters Ski Area (both just over an hour from the airport) and the hidden gem club fields of the region on the drive down to Wanaka and Queenstown

Tips for things to try when you're not gliding down slopes

There are five award winning wine regions in the South Island of New Zealand including Central Otago near Queenstown and Wanaka producing fine grape varieties on 1909 hectares. Hit up the cellar doors of Chard Farm, Rippon, Black Ridge and Gibbston Valley.

Queenstown boasts over 150 licenced establishments in one square kilometer so expect a thriving après scene. Try Eichardt’s House Bar for sundowners, The Bunker Bar for late night cocktails and the Lone Star for drinks with the locals

H121-Queenstown-Queenstown-Chris-McLennan1, New Zealand

By Chris McLennan

Eat delicious food & soak up the atmosphere in central Queenstown

Spa it up to soothe weary ski muscles at the Onsen Hot Pools in Queenstown, Oakridge at Wanaka and Hamner Springs near Christchurch.